NBA 2K13’s Facebook, mobile games offer boost for console experience

Everyone knows about NBA 2K13 on the consoles. It’s the big bad basketball game on the block for a few years running. But how many know that there’s an iPad version? Better yet, do those hard-core fans know that it’s serviceable entry, delivering good-looking visuals that are a step or two below the high-defintion systems?

The mobile sim version is one of three offerings — collectively called NBA 2K Everywhere — that 2K Sports is using to expand the franchise outside of the living room. According to producer Rob Nelson, the idea is to give fans of the series more opportunities for meaningful play whether it’s on the bus or during a break at the office. The company wants to keep players connected to the game.

NBA 2K13 on mobile devices does have its moments. Look at the detail in Lebron’s face. He looks a little young though.

THE SIM GAME ON MOBILE:The NBA 2K13 title for iOS and Android devices is the most obvious way to do that. Players can control teams with a virtual D-pad and buttons. But 2K Sports is also introducing one-touch controls for the more casual fans. All gamers have to do is tap on an offensive player to steal. Swipe up to block and rebound. Tap on a player to pass. They never control actual player movements; instead, the team moves on its own, controlled by the AI, which is also improved.

It’s a simplified control scheme that opens up the game to more people. One thing I especially liked is how you can call plays just by holding down on an icon in the bottom right corner. On offense, it brings up three options like a screen, iso or a drive to the basket. Pick one and the AI player with the ball executes the command. All gamers have to do is decide when to rise and fire.

Aside from these gameplay improvements, 2K Sports and 2K China added synchronous multiplayer. Now fans can connect via Bluetooth locally or GameCenter to compete against others around the globe. The other upgrade is in the Association mode and the addition of NBA’s Greatest Moments Mode. First off, Association is improved, letting players make trades and continue playing through an indefinite number of seasons. Second, the Greatest Moments Mode lets gamers replay epic games like Kobe’s 81 point explosion against the Raptors. The game will have a set number of these moments available with additional packs selling for 99 cents later on. The mobile game will satisfy some fans when it comes out this fall for $7.99.

Build your own estate in the NBA 2K My Life game.

BIGGER CHANGES ON FACEBOOK AND A COMPANION APP: The more fascinating features come from the Facebook title called NBA 2K MyLife and another mobile companion app called MyNBA2K. Both offerings connect to the main console game. But they do it in different ways.

In NBA 2K MyLife, fans can import their created player from the console version of NBA 2K13 and continue on his life. They build attractions on their estate and attract fans by holding events. That generates Rep and Skill points. The Reps improve your draw for fans while the Skill points let you do more creative dunks in a minigame.

In terms of mechanics, it doesn’t distinguish itself from the dozens of other social games. One good feature is that it neither forces you to spam friends with invites nor does it limit how far you can advance by how many friends decide to join the game. Despite the uninspired design, the game does use the NBA property well. Players can purchase basketball courts or arenas with their favorite teams logos. That in turn will attract the avatars of NBA players (They’re AI controlled not the real deal), and if you build a friendship with them, they become part of your entourage.

The real draw for playing NBA 2K MyLifethough is that it add fans for your created player in the console game and the VC (Virtual Currency) players earn are carried over as well. In addition, the Facebook game unlocks some content in NBA 2K13 such as shoes and clothing. Lastly, the relationships players build with the NBA players in NBA 2K MyLife will carry over in the Blacktop mode in NBA 2K13. Those stars with friendship status will be available for free in that mode.

A MUST-HAVE FREE APP: But the big draw for hard-core fans is MyNBA2K. The companion app is tightly woven into the fabric of NBA 2K13. The free app includes 10 minigames designed by the team at Visual Concepts. They’re simple diversions that take less than five minutes to complete.

It includes things like an Autograph Signing game, where players have to push out dozens of their signature within a time limit. Another minigame is Team Defense where they set up their defenders and watch as they try to protect the basket. It works a lot like the old electric football sets but you can slightly control the players using devices’ tilt function. But the most interesting minigame is one that imports your custom team from the console title and lets you use it in a Stratego like game. Not only is it fun but it helps you learn members of your custom team better.

These are fun distractions, but the payoff comes after completing the minigames. Players are offered VC or a boosts for their created player. The VC can be used in NBA 2K13 to upgrade their created player. The stat boosts offer temporary power-ups like improved team chemistry or better shooting. It’s great if your created player is heading into a playoff game and needs a big performance.

But there is a cap to what you can do with MyNBA2K. Players can import 1,000 VC a day. So no, you can’t grind out an uber character using this game.

Both titles are free and are expected to be released later this fall just in time for NBA 2K13’s release on Oct. 2.

Gieson Cacho

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